Lava at the Pacaya Volcano, Guatemala - 13 April 2007

The trip continued.. A lot of lava to see and feel. Imagine the heat when you're really close. Or when you just missed one sip of breath when your lungs are filled with volcanic gasses.

To see where these photo's were taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.

Vulcanic rocks 1

This was where the lava flow stopped. The grass still present. The rocks are solid and cold now.

Vulcanic rocks 2

This was where the lava flow stopped. The grass still present. The rocks are solid and cold now.

Lava up close

We were walking up the volcano to the lava flows. You think the volcanic rock you are walking on is safe and cold.. But suddenly at 5 meters, some dust and rock slid down and you could see the hot melted rock glowing under it. This photo has been taken at 3 meters (10 feet) from the glowing lava.

Lava up ahead- Youssouf at the Pacaya Volcano, Guatemala - 13 April 2007.

You can see the lava coming down up ahead. But right next to me, on the right, there is a ditch with flowing lava as well.. Awesome!

A ditch of lava - Youssouf at the Pacaya Volcano, Guatemala - 13 April 2007.

This is as close as you can get. I felt like being toasted on a barbeque. The distance was 4 or 5 meters (14 feet) and it was hot.. Luckily my fleece did not get scorched, I did smell some burning rubber from the hot rocks below our feet. It wasn't me. You can't see it, but this lava is still moving and very much alive.